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Buddha accompanied by Anatha Pindika comes in. He is followed by two disciples. The Buddha sits down on the seat on the platform, having on either hand one of his disciples. Anatha Pindika stands below with clasped hands.
Kala Udayin sinks to his knees with clasped hands.
B. My friend, what brings you here?
K. A message from your royal father: He bade me tell you that he is growing old, and before he dies, he wants to see his son once more. Would you deign to accept his invitation?
B. Tell me, my friend, how is my father? Is old age truly telling on him?
K. Not yet so visibly, but he worries much.
B. And how is Rahula? He is now seven years old and must be quite a boy.
K. He is, my Lord; and how he talks of his father. He knows everything you are doing.[75]
B. Who tells him?
K. His mother does.
B. And tell me how the princess fares?
K. She imposes upon herself the observances which the mendicant friars keep. She will have no preference over him who once was her husband. She sleeps on the floor, she does no longer use unguents or perfumes. She wears a simple yellow robe and observes the regulation of the brotherhood in taking food.
The Buddha nods and with a distant look sits a few moments in silence.
B. And she is a good mother?
K. There could be no better.
St. [announces] An embassy of the most potent King of Magadha, the great Bimbisara.
B. [Addressing himself to the servant] Let them come in, [turning to K.] Kala Udayin, bring my father greetings, and say that I shall come.
Kala Udayin exit.
A number of men, the embassy of King Bimbisara, led by Nagadeva, most gorgeously dressed, file in. They let themselves down on one knee, clasp their hands and rise again.
N. Most gracious Lord, all-wise and blessed Buddha,
Our noble sov'reign bids me tender you
[76]His most respectful greetings, and he hopes
That you return and visit Rajagaha,
For he is very anxious to be honored
By your auspicious presence in his kingdom.
B. My Lords, express to your most mighty King
That the Tathagata can not accept
This friendly invitation, for he will
Start for his home, the country of the Sakyas,
To see his aged father and his kin.
If war or other ills befall his people,
He wants to live, if need be, die with them.
N. Lord Buddha, speak a word of truth to us,
For I'm aware thou art omniscient.
Our royal master wants to hear from thee.
B. All bodily existence passeth by
For it is compound and will be dissolved;
But there is Law; it is the Uncreate,
It is th' Etern, which is without beginning
And without end. That must our refuge be.
He who relies on the Impermanent,
And, being strong, attempts to crush the weak,
Will soon break down. This is the law of deeds,
For as we sow, such will our harvest be.
Rely on Truth, the Uncreate, th' Etern,
Be guided by the rule of Righteousness.
This is my message to the King, your Lord,
And may he be advised to rule his country
With love of peace, with goodness, and with wisdom.
My blessing be on him and on his people.
[77]
They kneel, clasp their hands, circumambulate the Buddha and file out.
Jeta returns in excitement.
J. The war is on! King Bimbisara's army
Is building bridges to attack the Sakyas.
[Curtain. Trumpet signals, military music.]
Living Pictures Accompanied by Appropriate Music.
1. King Bimbisara on the Royal Elephant.
The king is seated under a canopy, together with his minister and field marshal. On the head of the elephant, the driver; and retinue on either side.
2. The Wanderer.
The Buddha was in the habit of wandering through the country from place to place.
The picture shows him with a staff in his right hand and a bowl in his left in an Indian landscape.
3. King Bimbisara in Camp.
Standing before the royal tent he addresses his generals.
[Reception hall of the Raja Suddhodana; Indian pompous style; columns and beyond an outlook into a tropical palm-garden. Seats scattered through the room. On the left a compartment, open toward the audience, is separated from the main room by hanging carpets.]
Near the right side Suddhodana is seated with Pajapati and Yasodhara. Rahula in the background (viz., in the garden) in the care of a nurse.
S. The time is troublesome, and it appears that war is imminent.
P.Oh do not fret;
Visakha is a cunning diplomat:
I hope he'll be successful, and he will
Persuade King Bimbisara to keep peace.
S. I do hope too, but hope against conviction.
Visakha and Devala enter.
There come the Brahman and the gallant Captain.
V. [Kneeling on one foot to the King] Hail Maharaja!
D. Hail, my gracious King.
S. Welcome my worthy messengers!
They kneel to Pajapati.
P. Be welcome.
S. Tell me at once, how did your mission speed?
V. There is a subtle influence against you
At Bimbisara's court; there is a party
Bound to have war, and they will have it too,
Unless we meet them by diplomacy.
Leave it to me, and I'll preserve the peace.
S. Had not my son turned mendicant, how useful
Could he at present be! I need a general,
A trusty man of youthful strength and courage
To take the helm and lead the ship of state
Through storm and danger, for our foes are strong.
V. Great Raja, I am privy to your grief,
I know the hope you'd set upon Siddhattha.
What brilliant gifts the boy inherited,
From you, his royal father, and how he,
Forgetful of his filial duty, left you,
And his fair wife and child, to turn a beggar.
S. All this is true, remind me not of it,
'Tis a disgrace to our most royal house,
And all the Rajas in the Indian land,
Will point to us and mock the Sakya tribe.
[80]
Rahula comes in with childlike joy and brings his mother a rose.
R. Here, mother, is a rose. I picked it from the bush where the nightingale sings. I thought, if father had been here, he would have brought the rose to you. He loves the flowers and so do you.
